Jazz: Style

 The Musical Characteristics of Jazz

Jazz features a range of tonalities, and some experimental jazz genres explore modality and atonality. Jazz commonly uses a 1-6-2-5 chord progression, often also using extended chords, especially dissonant chords. Major, minor and dominant 7th chords are very popular in the jazz genre. Modes of the major scales are often used in improvisation, as well as pentatonic and bebop scales. Riffs are common in jazz, often forming the foundations of songs. Jazz rhythms are often swung, with heavy syncopation. Jazz melodies are sometimes improvised, and are usually syncopated and feature blues notes. Brass instruments are common in jazz, as well as piano, guitar and double bass. Call and response is often used, usually between vocalists or melodic instruments, and sometimes improvised. Common themes for the lyrics of jazz are love and philosophy, but can also cover darker topics, like nostalgia and melancholy. Common instrumental techniques in jazz include arpeggios (broken chords), chromaticism and melodic embellishments, such as slides. Improvisation is very common in jazz, especially in the melody or in instrumental solos.

Notation of Important Riffs, Melodies and Rhythms

Here is my notation of son clave rhythms, which are often featured in latin jazz, and also featured in my bands' latin jazz version of Mack the Knife.

Three Subgenres of Jazz and their Similarities/Differences

Three subgenres of jazz are latin jazz, bebop and jazz fusion. Latin jazz features complex, syncopated rhythms, often with Brazilian or Cuban influence, and also combines the instruments of jazz with the instruments of Latin America, such as bongos and claves. Bebop often features fast tempos and complex harmonic features, also featuring polyrhythms and unpredictable, disjunct melodies. Jazz fusion is a mix of traditional jazz with elements or rock, funk or electronic genres. The genre has a strong emphasis on groove, featuring syncopation and polyrhythms as well as extended improvisation. All of these genres feature classic jazz instrumentation, with additions, and also all usually use common jazz scales as well as improvisation. 

My Opinions on the Jazz Subgenres

I love latin jazz and bebop, as they are very high energy with complex rhythms. I especially like their complexity, as I love being able to pick out different rhythm sections in a piece. Overall, jazz is one of my favourite genres, especially the subgenres I mentioned above. 

Examples of Famous Musicians from Jazz Subgenres

Mario Bauza is credited as one of creators of latin jazz, influencing the jazz scene of New York City. He combined the complex rhythms of Cuban music with the improvisation and arrangement of American jazz. Charlie Parker was a very significant figure of bebop, making use of complex chromaticism to turn jazz from a danceable genre to a complex art form. Miles Davis pioneered the jazz fusion genre by incorporating electronic instruments and funk rhythms into his music, ultimately leading to many different fusion genres.

How did Jazz Evolve?

Jazz originated in New Orleans, stemming from a combination of European music with African rhythms. It was first known for collective improvisation, and in the 30s-40s, became mainstream with large orchestras playing danceable rhythms. From this started genres like bebop, which went against the commercialisation of jazz and swing. All of this ultimately lead to the jazz of today, which is commonly combined with other genres to great jazz fusions. 

What does Jazz have in Common with Other Styles

Jazz shared many similarities with blues, both having stemmed from African roots and both featuring similar rhythmic and improvisational features. Jazz also has similarities to some rock and pop music, mainly due to the fact that modern rock and pop stemmed from jazz and blues.